BridgePoint eMuse 4/16/08

Celebrating 25 Years with Jesus

Wish me a happy birthday. I know you already did, one month ago on March 16^th, my biological birth date. But today, April 16^th, is different: it's my spiritual birthday!

On this date twenty-five years ago, in a new church in our new hometown, I bowed my knee to Jesus. I wept as I understood clearly for the first time that Jesus had died for my sins (1 Cor. 15:3). I've always felt things deeply, and this was no exception. I felt close to God. I felt grieved over wrong things I had done. I felt very, very thankful that God had wiped my slate clean, that I would spend forever with Him because of Jesus.

Over the past quarter-century, I have learned not to judge my faith based on my feelings. They come and go, but Christ remains by his Spirit – within me, among us. Feelings are a gift from God – we are to love Him with our heart and mind and soul and strength – with all we have and are. His penetrating our lives will necessarily manifest itself in our thinking and feeling and speaking and acting.

But I am especially grateful, as I think back on that spring evening in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, that my faith does not "depend" on me, on my feelings or anything I might muster. My faith, as one song puts it, is like shifting sand – so I stand on grace. The grace of God, in Christ's death for our sins. Thank you, Jesus! Keep me faith-ful, by your grace, in the next twenty-five…and beyond!

YMCA Zoning Board petition postponed to May 20^th

Many thanks to all who prayed for last evening's scheduled petition before the Valparaiso Board of Zoning Appeals. The petition has been rescheduled to May 20^th. We were made aware just yesterday afternoon that a neighboring business owner is pursuing a permit that would be affected by a church owning the current YMCA building. And so we decided, along with the "Y", to request a continuance, which allows the petition to be addressed at the next meeting. The Board granted this request, and we will continue to work in the meantime on being prepared for that meeting.

Don't stop praying for favor with the Board and with area property owners who are concerned about a church taking possession of the YMCA facility. I am convinced that we need to continue pursuing the possible purchase of the "Y", as it presents a tremendous ministry opportunity for us. Lord, guide us as we continue down this path – may we keep in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25)!

Gratefully yours in Christ,

Jeff

P.S. There's still time to be a part of this Saturday's (9-noon) pre-membership class; contact us!

sunday april 13th

BridgePoint eMuse 4/1/08

The "Y", New Folk & New Faves…

YMCA Donates Building to BridgePoint; Aliens Abduct Building

In a surprise move, Valparaiso Family YMCA Director Bob Wanek unilaterally decided "just to give the thing (facility) over" to BridgePoint Church. Expressing his shock and delight, BridgePoint pastor Jeff Cagwin remarked, "I am shocked and delighted."

Oddly enough, no sooner had Director Wanek handed the keys over to Pastor Cagwin, when extra-terrestrials sucked the 80,000 square-foot building into their spaceship, whirlpool and all. Expressing his shock and disappointment, Cagwin uttered, "I am shocked and disappointed."

Ya, so it's April 1^st. And, no, the "Y" hasn't donated the building to us. And, as far as I know, it's still sitting at 55 Chicago Street, Valparaiso, IN, U.S.A., planet Earth.

So what is happening with the YMCA? Are we gonna buy it or what? Glad you asked.

We have formed a facility team to research issues related to purchasing and owning the YMCA building. This fact-finding team is addressing questions like, "How much would it cost to keep the building up and running each month?" Their findings will help us determine the way forward as a congregation.

We are also preparing to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals in two weeks (4/15), to petition the city to permit a church to own and operate in the current "Y" facility. This is a prerequisite step and does not mean that we are going to buy the facility, necessarily.

Ultimately, whether or not we buy the "Y" is a congregational decision. In the meantime, we as leadership continue to explore the issues and will keep you posted. Please pray with us for the Lord's guidance for our facility team and the city's zoning board!

For Newer Folk:

Come to my house this Sunday evening (April 6^th) at 7pm for dessert! This is a great opportunity to get to know fellow newcomers and learn more about BridgePoint. E-mail office@bridgepointchurch.info to sign up.

Pre-membership class on Saturday, April 19^th (9a-noon, at 259 Indiana Ave., Valpo). *Note: if you missed one of the previous membership classes, it can be made up during one of the hours on the 19^th; let us know if you're interested at office@bridgepointchurch.info.

Favorites, continued…

Racquetball is quickly becoming a favorite sport of mine. I hadn't played till several weeks ago when a BridgePoint guy invited me to play. Now I play (at the Y) every week and I love it! Let me know if you wanna play sometime.

Softball is another fave. Which reminds me, we're still putting our team together so let us know if you'd like to join us as we demonstrate our total superiority over lesser churches, in humility of course.

Hasta Sunday,

Jeff